Samsung KS8000 and LG UH8500 are the mid-end of 2016 Model 4K TV that available in the market. Each of them is available on 4 variants screen size. KS8000 is available on 49 Inch (UN49KS8000), 55 Inch (UN55KS8000), 60 Inch (UN60KS8000), and 65 Inch (UN65KS8000) while UH8500 is available on 55 Inch (55UH8500), 60 Inch (60UH8500), 65 Inch (65UH8500), and 75 Inch (75UH8500). But because sizes which available on both are only 3 screen sizes of course this comparison is only valid for these sizes (55UH8500 vs UN55KS8000, 60UH8500 vs UN60KS8000, 65UH8500 vs UN65KS8000). A striking difference between them is about panel technology where UH8500 uses IPS Panel while KS8000 uses VA Panel. The other major difference is about 3D technology where UH8500 comes with passive 3D technology while KS8000 is not equipped with 3D technology. But of course, their differences are not only about those. There are advantages and disadvantages of each then the others. To know a lot about the performance offered by each, previously I have written a review about LG UH8500 in here or Samsung KS8000 in here. Meanwhile, in the market, both of them are sold with similar price or if there is any difference in price, their difference is not too significant. So, considering the price and performance that offered by each, which is a better choice between them? Let’s discuss a lot one by one performance offered by each.

Performance of Samsung KS8000 vs LG UH8500

Picture Quality

As we have mentioned above, the basic difference between Samsung KS8000 and LG UH8500 is about the type of panel where KS8000 comes with VA Panel while UH8500 comes with IPS Panel. This difference has a big impact on the picture quality that offered by each. Nevertheless, the other technologies behind them also influence performance that offered by each especially about their picture quality.

Let’s start from black level and contrast that produced by each because it is one of the most important aspects of picture quality. Although both of them use the same backlight technology and local dimming, but Samsung with VA panel can reach about 0.16 nits of black level with 6900:1 of contrast ratio while LG UH8500 with IPS panel reach about 0.084 nits of black level with native contrast ratio about 1200:1. This means black level and contrast reached by KS8000 is far deeper and stronger than what reached by UH8500. And the impact is certainly when they are displaying dark scenes especially in a dark room. Detail of images in dark scenes will be revealed more on the screen of KS8000. In a dark room, black area of images will look tend to grey on the screen of UH8500. Meanwhile, in a room with lights, picture quality displayed on the screen of UH8500 looks very good with rich color. But even so because KS8000 has deeper black level and stronger contrast, the picture that displayed on its screen certainly is still better. Meanwhile, when displaying HDR 10 contents fully where both of them already support it, this needs 0.05 nits of black level or lower. This means black level reached by KS8000 is quite dark for displaying HDR 10 without any issues on contrast and black level while black level of UH8500 is not quite dark.

In term of peak brightness, Samsung KS8000 also offers brighter peak brightness than LG UH8500. As we know, peak brightness is also most of important components of HDR. You need to know, for displaying HDR 10 contents fully, this needs at least 1000 nits of peak brightness. Meanwhile, peak brightness reached by Samsung KS8000 is about 1400 nits and reached by LG UH8500 is about 550 nits. This means peak brightness of KS8000 is more than enough for displaying HDR 10 contents fully while UH8500 is not quite bright. As the impact, images in shadow or sun highlighted effect will look more detail on the screen of KS8000 than UH8500. Meanwhile, although not as bright as what offered by KS8000, peak brightness of UH8500 is quite bright for displaying SDR contents.

DCI P3 vs REC 2020 Color Gamut

Moving on color performance, both of Samsung KS8000 and LG UH8500 are equally powered by quantum dot panel technology. The result, both of them already support wide color gamut required for displaying HDR 10 contents fully. As we know, HDR 10 needs at least 90% of DCI P3 color space. Meanwhile, UH8500 can cover about 90% of DCI P3 color space and KS8000 even can cover more that is about 95% of DCI P3 color space. No matter they are displaying SDR or HDR contents, the color of the picture that displayed on each of their screen will look very accurate and richly. In other hand, HDR 10 also needs at least 10 bit depth of color for delivering smooth color gradient. In this case, Samsung KS8000 comes with true 10 bit panel while UH8500 comes with 8 bit dithering panel technology. The result, color gradient of the picture produced KS8000 looks smoother than what produced by UH8500. Nevertheless, although UH8500 is not true 10 bit panel, it still offers smooth color gradient when inputted by 10 bit signals.

From all display specs we have discussed above, we can see, Samsung KS8000 is superior to LG UH8500 on all aspects, whether it is black level and contrast, peak brightness, color gamut or depth of color. This means KS800 offers better picture quality than UH8500 whether it is displaying SDR or HDR contents. Even when displaying HDR contents, all display specs of KS8000 meet all of minimum standardization of HDR 10 that means it is compliant with Ultra HD Premium Certification and can display HDR 10 contents fully without any issue. Meanwhile, black level, contrast, and peak brightness of UH8500 is not quite enough for displaying HDR 10 contents fully. But in other hand, LG UH8500 already supports both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision while KS8000 only supports HDR 10 only. About performance of UH8500 when displaying Dolby Vision Contents, this certainly is still far from the expectations considering Dolby Vision has higher standardization than HDR 10. Meanwhile, although UH8500 cannot display HDR or Dolby Vision fully like what intended by the creators, but at least the picture displayed is still better than when it is inputted by SDR signals.

Viewing Angle

The use of IPS panel behind LG UH8500 might makes it has weak black level and contrast, but in other hand, it offers much wider viewing angle area than Samsung KS8000 that uses VA Panel. Like most of TV with VA Panel, the quality of the picture will start to degrade at 20 degrees off center and front while the quality of the picture displayed on the screen of UH8500 with IPS panel looks more consistently from side viewing angle, even up to 40 degrees off center and front. This is an advantage of IPS TV including UH8500 than VA TV including KS8000 where it is better when used in a wide living room with a lot of viewers who come from multiple viewing positions. Meanwhile for KS8000, you must set your seat in such away so center and in front of the screen to get the best viewing.

Winner: LG UH8500

UHD Up-scaling

Samsung KS8000 and LG UH8500 are equally good performer when up-scaling lower resolution to near 4K resolution. This means no matter the resolution of video sources, you will enjoy them sharply and clearly in 4K quality on each of their screen. When they are inputted by 480p signal like DVDs, final images produced in 4K quality look good with a fair amount of details preserved. Meanwhile, while they are inputted by 720p videos like from Cable TV, the final images produced in 4K quality looks sharply and clearer with more small details preserved more. And of course, when they are inputted by 1080p videos like from Blur-Ray Player, the 4K picture that produced looks very sharp and crisp on each of their screen without any loss small details. And with great performance in UHD Up-scaling, of course the issue about the still scarce of 4K contents that available in the market is not a big problem for KS8000 or UH8500.

Winner: Tier

Motion handling and 24p Playback

Both of Samsung KS8000 and LG UH8500 are also good performers when handling motion blur. Their pixel response time is very low and below average so makes them great when used for watching fast moving images like sports programs or fast movies. But even so, compare between them, UH8500 has lower response time than KS8000. The result, there is no trail following moving objects on the screen of UH8500 when playing fast moving images, while on the screen of KS8000, a faint trail following fast moving objects is still slight noticeable. But as mentioned, overall, their performance is above average. Additionally, when they are playing 24p movies, Samsung KS8000 is a great TV when used for watching movies. There is no judder appears when it is playing 24p movies from any sources. For removing judder without adding “soap opera effect” you just need set “Auto Motion Plus” to Custom and both slider to”0” on picture setting of KS8000.Meanwhile for LG UH8500, it also offers great performance when playing 24p movies from Blu ray player and via 60i signals like movies over satellite TV. But unfortunately, when playing 24p movies via 60i signals or streaming media, some judders are still noticeable. Nevertheless, because most of people don’t notice about judder, this certainly is not a serious issue for UH8500.

Winner: LG UH85000

3D performance

Their difference about 3D technology is very clear where LG UH8500 is equipped with passive 3D technology, while Samsung KS8000 is not equipped with 3D technology. Nevertheless, ignoring their difference, 3D performance that offered by UH8500 is really great, let alone it comes with passive 3D technology where it is more comfortable for eyes than active 3D technology. As long as you watch TV from directly in front of the screen, there is no crosstalk noticeable. But as the characteristic of passive 3D technology, each of eyes is only received a half of lines of horizontal resolution of 3D images. But in other hand, it gives some benefits on their 3D glasses where they are lighter, cheaper, battery-free, and more comfortable to use.

Winner: LG UH85000

Inputs/Outputs

Samsung One Connect Box

As the major connectivity, Samsung KS8000 is equipped with 4 HDMI Ports and 3 USB Ports while LG UH8500 is equipped with 3 HDMI Ports and 3 USB Ports. Their HDMI Ports already supports what need for HDMI connection at this time like HDCP 2.2, CEC, and others. The excepting of Composite In (AV In) and Component In where KS8000 is not equipped with these inputs, both of them are equipped with similar inputs outputs, there is Ethernet, Antenna In (RF In), Digital Audio Out (Optical), and others where the amount of each is 1. The difference is where these ports are located. All of inputs/outputs of UH8500 are located on the rear panel while HDMI Ports, RF In, and 2 USB Ports of KS8000 are located on separated box called “One connect box”. The benefit, if there is an update of HDMI firmware, you just need to upgrade this box without change the TV. Meanwhile, talking about their input lag, both of them offer low input lag at any sources. This means both of them is great TVs when used for playing video games. You will enjoy any kind of games without feel laggy even for fast-paced games that requires fast reflexes. Nevertheless, compare between them, input lags of KS8000 is slight lower than UH8500.

Winner : Samsung KS8000

Sound Quality

Samsung KS8000 is equipped with 2.1 channels speaker system with 40 watts total speaker power while LG UH8500 is powered by 2.2 channels speaker system designed by HarmanKardon and also with 40 watts speaker power. With built-in woofer, they equally offer good bass performance for a LED TV. Additionally, they also equally offer decent frequency response with maximum loudness is quite loud. But like sound of most of TVS, at higher volumes, their sound is heard pumped and compressed. Meanwhile, about total harmonic distortion of the sound that produced by them, UH8500 offers slight better than KS8000. Overall, sound quality offered by them is good for a slim TV like them, but this cannot be said impressive. For you who care about sound quality, the addition an external sound bar is a better solution for improving their sound quality.

Winner: LG UH8500

Smart TV

Both of them equally feature attractive and responsive Smart TV platform. Samsung KS8000 comes with Tizen OS while LG UH8500 comes with WebOS 3.0. Both of these smart TV platforms have attractive and intuitive user interface where they offer simplicity and easiness when you are navigating. Nevertheless, compare between them, WebOS 3.0 with “Strip Bar” on home screen is simpler and more straightforward when you are navigating between different menus. In term of performance, both of them also equally offer fast and responsive performance. Once you launch an app, the loading in time is very quick. Additionally, selecting between apps when multitasking is also feels very responsive even when heavily multitasking. Meanwhile, about apps provided, both of them also equally provide very complete and varied apps. Almost all of most popular apps for smart TV are available like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon videos, web Browser, Screen Mirroring, Cloud Games, Apps and Contents Store, and many more.

Samsung Tizen OS

LG webOS 3.0 Interface

As the controller, LG UH8500 is equipped with LG’s Magic Remote, while Samsung KS8000 is equipped with Samsung’s Smart Controller. Samsung Remote is simpler with minimalist buttons even without “number buttons” while LG remote has a lot of buttons. The similarity, both of these remotes is equally equipped with built-in microphone for voice command functionality. Additionally, with tons of IR database, both of them also can be serve as a universal remote. An advantage of LG’s magic remote, there is point and click functionality that course will make you more comfort when inputting texts or surfing on the internet. Meanwhile, Samsung has removed pointer functionality from this remote.

Conclusion

As we have discussed a lot above, in term of picture quality, Samsung KS8000 is better. This is due it delivers deeper black level, brighter peak brightness, and wider color gamut than LG UH8500. Additionally, in term of HDR, KS8000 also offers better HDR performance especially for HDR 10 contents, even it comes with Ultra HD premium Certification that guarantee its great HDR performance. In other hand, as long as it is not used in a dark room, the picture produced by LG UH8500 looks very good. Additionally, although it is not able to display HDR 10 fully like KS8000, 65UH8500 offer benefit support both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision format. Meanwhile, the major advantages of LG UH8500 to Samsung KS8000 are about its wider viewing angle and 3D technology. For other features like UHD Up-scaling, Input lag, Smart TV, and Sound quality, both of them show similar performance.

So which is a better choice between them? We assume they have similar price for each screen, of course the decision comes back to you according to your preferences in buying TV. If your main consideration is picture quality and HDR performance regardless of 3D and viewing angle, of course KS8000 is a better choice. But if you are searching TV for wider living room with a lot of viewers watch from multiple viewing position or you care about 3D, of course UH8500 is a better choice for you. But even so, before you decide to choose one of them, there are a lot of opinions from the people who have purchased one of them where you can make as your further consideration.

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